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2018 Ford Fusion

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Fusion do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 1,109.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

188 reports with mileage · 250 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 201 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

201 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2023
Engine

Since 2021 we have had problems with the car. The car started smoking and cutting off for some known reasons. We contacted Vidalia Ford known also as Paul Thigpen where the car was purchased. There have been numerous attempt to get the car fixed by Paul Thigpen and we will get the car out the shop and take it back. The car is je…

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Since 2021 we have had problems with the car. The car started smoking and cutting off for some known reasons. We contacted Vidalia Ford known also as Paul Thigpen where the car was purchased. There have been numerous attempt to get the car fixed by Paul Thigpen and we will get the car out the shop and take it back. The car is jerking, still cutting off, and car smoking. Told us that was normal for that car to smoke. We was told by Paul Thigpen that we needed a motor in the car. All of a sudden after this car Fusion car motor have been broken down numerous time. We are told that Ford Corporation would not send a new motor for the car. We have went to pick up the car on one occasion and started the car up and it was smoking like it was on fire. All the techs ran to the car because they thought the car was on fire. We have called Ford Corporation to speak to someone in their Consumer Affairs office. Asked us to take it to another Ford Dealership in Dublin, GA and they told us we needed a motor and they will get the motor in a few days. These people calls and say the same exact thing Paul Thigpen tech stated that Ford would not send the motor. When we got the car back, it's still jerking and smoking. The techs fails to put in notes that Ford Corporation fails to fix the vehicle. Now the vehicle is sitting in the yard and we are making payments. The oil is leaking from the motor. I reported it to the Better Business Bureau and Ford failed to respond. The Better Business Bureau stated to send it to you all. This car had stayed in the shop months at a time. Yes, we are angry consumers who has paid for an extend warranty on this vehicle when purchased. Darren from Consumer Affairs called and left a message on the voicemail that we can't get mad because Dublin Ford refused to fix our vehicle. We have not enjoyed the vehicle and it's wrong how Ford is doing people. They are trying to let the warranty runs out. Everyone claims to be full when it first happened with oil probl

NHTSA ODI #11512561

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2023
Engine

The check engine light came on my 2018 Ford Fusion on 2/6/23. On 2/7/23 the car was diagnosed by a Ford dealer as having a coolant intrusion issue. Upon doing research, Ford was aware as early as 2019 that that the 2.0L EcoBoost engines have this common problem. They Issued a Technical Service Bulletin detailing the problem. Ho…

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The check engine light came on my 2018 Ford Fusion on 2/6/23. On 2/7/23 the car was diagnosed by a Ford dealer as having a coolant intrusion issue. Upon doing research, Ford was aware as early as 2019 that that the 2.0L EcoBoost engines have this common problem. They Issued a Technical Service Bulletin detailing the problem. However, Ford is not recalling these vehicles. They have told me that the only fix for the problem is to remove the engine and replace the long block for $8000. Vehicles like mine with the 2.0L EcoBoost engines have a defect that cause coolant to leak into the engine’s cylinders, which can cause corrosion, oil dilution and contamination and engine failure. Furthermore, this defect creates a safety risk because the lack of coolant created by the leaks causes overheating and can result in the cylinder head cracking, total engine failure, or worse an engine fire. If there is a risk that the engine could catch fire on all these vehicles, that puts my life, my passengers lives and others sharing nearby roads lives in danger. I am urging the NHTSA to investigate this claim and the numerous consumers that have these faulty engines. Please hold Ford accountable and force them to replace these engines to keep us citizens safe.

NHTSA ODI #11506140

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

While driving down the road the car suddenly flashed engine coolant is over-temperature warning and shut off and lost power. Inside of my vehicle the car was not showing it was running hot on the temperature hand. I was on a blind curve and barely made it to a pull off before the car completelyshut off. There have been no signs …

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While driving down the road the car suddenly flashed engine coolant is over-temperature warning and shut off and lost power. Inside of my vehicle the car was not showing it was running hot on the temperature hand. I was on a blind curve and barely made it to a pull off before the car completelyshut off. There have been no signs of over heating before this. There is a coolant intrusion in the cylinder and the engine block needs to be replaced. 120000 miles and out of warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11500595

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2022
Engine

Misfires on cylinder 2. Engine burning oil slowly. Mileage is only 64,390.

NHTSA ODI #11491060

112,000 miles · Aug 30, 2022
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated with a message stating "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" displayed. Additionally, the engine sputtered while the vehicle was being started and there was gray smoke coming from the exhaust …

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated with a message stating "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" displayed. Additionally, the engine sputtered while the vehicle was being started and there was gray smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The contact stated that the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that coolant was leaking into cylinder #1, causing damage to the engine long block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #11481935

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2022
Engine

I am a retired mechanic with over 13 years of professional experience working at multiple dealerships. I purchased my 2018 Ford Fusion with 2.0L Ecoboost on 6/29/2022 with 73,555 miles. Two days after delivery, within 1 minute of leaving home, the CHECK ENGINE light was illuminated. When I returned home, I used my diagnostic sca…

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I am a retired mechanic with over 13 years of professional experience working at multiple dealerships. I purchased my 2018 Ford Fusion with 2.0L Ecoboost on 6/29/2022 with 73,555 miles. Two days after delivery, within 1 minute of leaving home, the CHECK ENGINE light was illuminated. When I returned home, I used my diagnostic scanner to find code P0300 set. What I found interesting is that the scanner indicated that the code had been cleared 298 miles earlier, which indicated either the prior owner cleared the code, or the dealership cleared the code prior to marketing it for sale. Two days ago, on the way home from work, the CHECK ENGINE light came on again, and I was able to determine that the code was a P0302, misfire on cylinder 2. I checked the coolant level of the car, and it was below the minimum mark on the reservoir. I removed the spark plug from cylinder #1 and cylinder #2 for visual inspection and comparison. Visual inspection of the plugs had a normal carbon build-up on the piston in cylinder #1 and on the ground electrode of the same spark plug, whereas on cylinder #2 there was no carbon buildup on the spark plug nor on the top of the piston; it was "wet looking". I reinstalled the spark plugs, and topped the coolant off and bled air out of the coolant system. I did utilize a combustion gas leak detection tester marketed by Blue Point that I have used in the past to diagnose faulty head gaskets, but the results were inconclusive. On my drive to work the next day, the CHECK ENGINE light was no longer illuminated. This morning, I examined the coolant reservoir, and there is a noticeable decrease in volume of coolant in the reservoir from the day before, along with the misfire on startup and illumination of the CHECK ENGINE light, with code P0302 being set. To date, the selling dealership and Ford have denied my request for any extended warranty assistance for replacement of the defective designed 2.0L engine. I now have a car I cannot use at all.

NHTSA ODI #11479868

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2022
EnginePower Train

There is a coolant leak into the cylinder which causes it to misfire. Ford is aware this is a known problem!!

NHTSA ODI #11479734

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

My car shuts down for some reason while I’m driving and has been running rough for the last couple of days. Also my horn does not work at all. This is a hazard for not only me but everybody. My vehicle have not been inspected, or not that I know of. When I first brought the car 2 years ago I noticed the horn was weak but was tol…

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My car shuts down for some reason while I’m driving and has been running rough for the last couple of days. Also my horn does not work at all. This is a hazard for not only me but everybody. My vehicle have not been inspected, or not that I know of. When I first brought the car 2 years ago I noticed the horn was weak but was told that’s how they sound. I forgot when my check engine light came on but it had to be 2 or 3 months ago. Just recently my car started to stop on me while I’m in traffic, the first time it happened was in June. I also went to Autozone to see why the check engine light, but it only says small EVAP leak.

NHTSA ODI #11478998

121,000 miles · Jul 21, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine and the temperature warning light illuminated indicating that the vehicle was overheating. The contact was able to pull over, turn off the vehicle, and waited for the engine to cool down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechani…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine and the temperature warning light illuminated indicating that the vehicle was overheating. The contact was able to pull over, turn off the vehicle, and waited for the engine to cool down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the head gasket was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle than was taken to an authorized Ford dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #11475149

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

My transmission has start to work weirdly. My car started vibrating when I am driving slow. When move to second gear suddenly the car make stop and move again.

NHTSA ODI #11472077

Official recalls

2

23V162000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 10, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.

18V167000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Mar 12, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ22004 · Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures

Opened Aug 8, 2022 · Closed Mar 24, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result, the driver may experience an increase in pedal travel and a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. It should be noted that the subject vehicles identified fell outside the scope of NHTSA Safety Recall 20V-469, which addressed front brake hoses rupturing on certain MY 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The result causes a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needing to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.On March 10, 2023, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted to NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-162 (Ford Recall 23S12) to address front brake jounce hoses that may rupture. Ford found the rupture occurs from a localized failure of the internal reinforcement braid due to cyclic fatigue through tensile/bending and torsional inputs during suspension and steering articulations. The supplier for the front brake jounce hoses is Hitachi. This recall affects the subject vehicles equipped with non-hybrid engines and the suspect front brake jounce hoses (a total of 1,280,726 vehicles). The recall covers subject vehicles built from February 3, 2012 to July 19, 2017 when the suspect hoses were used in vehicle production. The remedy is for dealerships to replace both front brake jounce hoses with new hoses that have a revised braid material at no cost. The vehicles equipped with hybrid engines are excluded from the recall because the internal hose pressure is much lower due to the regenerative braking provided by the hybrid brake system. No failures of brake hoses on hybrid vehicles have been reported to ODI or Ford.Ford's actions address ODIs concerns at this time. Hybrid vehicles will be monitored for related failures. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by new circumstances.The 103 ODI numbers cited above can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ID numbers:11511014, 11510867, 11510318, 11509030, 11505993, 11504989, 11504400, 11502147, 11502082, 11501820, 11501283, 11498439, 11498296, 11496842, 11496335, 11494931, 11494851, 11494252, 11493001, 11492084, 11492070, 11491444, 11491274, 11488858, 11488027, 11487627, 11487416, 11487233, 11486150, 11484924, 11484526, 11484080, 11483948, 11483926, 11483739, 11483723, 11482773, 11482690, 11481077, 11480788, 11480294, 11480052, 11479338, 11479334, 11479252, 11479247, 11479187, 11479094, 11479048, 11478985, 11478953, 11478729, 11478216, 11476892, 11476282, 11470558, 11468994, 11467109, 11466294, 11462746, 11461217, 11456065, 11455367, 11444848, 11436419, 11436376, 11430685, 11428329, 11425083, 11421026, 11420738, 11420735, 11420298, 11418197, 11403926, 11397549, 11366991, 11366757, 11361016, 11359968, 11354569, 11352165, 11350344, 11348799, 11343929, 11343205, 11331947, 11329020, 11319596, 11310529, 11292271, 11288455, 11254787, 11253479, 11253244, 11234622, 11230669, 11230050, 11228240, 11221111, 11143630, 11129392 and 11120228.